Friday, October 17, 2014

Egyptian Pharaoh Study: Hatshepsut

Examining Hatshepsut from Multiple Sources Queen Hatshepsut was one of the most important leaders in Ancient Egypt's history. In order to understand her significance we will be consider Hatshepsut using multiple sources. We will examine a section from our Social Studies textbook, an excerpt from the book Hathshepsut: His Majesty, Herself, a primary source document that includes Hatshepsut's own words, a short documentary video, and finally a poem. By examining a text set composed of a variety of sources, my hope is that you will develop a more comprehensive understanding of this remarkable figure from history.

You will use the document Hatshepust Notes to document the important things you learn about her and her reign.

We will begin by reading an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook below.

Now we will read an excerpt from the book Hathsepsut: HIs Majesty, Herself, which focuses on what Hatshepsut did in order to be accepted as pharaoh by the Egyptian people.

Next, we will examine a primary source. A primary source is a document or physical object which was written during the time under study. The words below are said to be Hatshepsut's and come directly form an obelisk (an Egyptian monument) inscription created during her reign. What do we learn about Hatshepsut from her actual words? Should this source carry more weight than others?

Next, check out the short documentary video about Hatshepsut below.

Finally, read this poem by Ruth Whitman written from the perspective of Hatshepsut.

HATSHEPSUT:
Before my father came to the throne
there was chaos in our double kingdom-
from the Great Green Sea on the north
to the land of Nubia on our south.
Men without breasts love war.
They measure their height
by the mountains of severed hands
piled up, cut from their enemies.
But I saw our land laid out in peace:
Thebes, the southern city, the horizon of earth
stretching east to west
and the fecund river cleaving the land
south to north.
Sun and moon
sail from east to west
across the Nile,
from life to death
and back again.
Symmetry. Order.
The Nile
floods, recedes, floods.
And over us stretches Nut,
the goddess who is the sky.
The sun travels by night
through her body,
the moon and stars by day.
Her toes touch the east,
her fingers reach to the west,
she arches over us,
rainbow mother of night and day.